April 21, 2021

Spring Migration is Underway!

Friday, April 30 and Saturday, May 1 from 8-10 am

Spring migration is underway with new birds arriving every day! CNCs variety of habitats support over 200 bird species, making this an excellent wildlife hotspot. Learn to identify birds with an experienced naturalist by using field marks, listening for songs and calls, watching flight patterns and using habitat clues. Birders of all experience levels are welcome. Loaner binoculars will be available, or feel free to bring your own. Pre-registration required.

Recent Sightings

As you drive around town or walk up to the Visitor Center, spring-blooming trees add color to the landscape. While many people think of magnolias, crabapple trees, and other fruit trees, several native species can be spring-time show stoppers. The redbud tree is one such example. Its purple buds transform into tiny purple flowers lining its zigzagged twigs. The flowers look like miniature pea flowers because the tree, like pea plants, is in the legume family. Because of its early bloom time, it is an important source of food for native bees and butterflies. Once the seeds form later in the season, they are enjoyed by chickadees and other songbirds. And, if you are not yet in love with this tree, stop by in a few weeks when it is tiny heart-shaped leaves begin to emerge!

Have you had a great experience at Chippewa Nature Center, or has CNC made an impact on your life or that of a member of your family? We would love to hear about it.

FREE Upcoming Events

Early Spring Wildflower Walk

Friday, April 23

10-11:30 am

Spring wildflowers bloom quickly on the forest floor before tree leaves open. Take a woodland walk with a CNC naturalist to find and identify these colorful beauties. Learn to recognize the diversity of shapes, patterns and unique pollination strategies. Pre-registration required.

FREE | Ages 9+, under 18 w/adult

Bird Walk

Friday, April 30 &

Saturday, May 1

8-10 am

FREE | Ages 9+, under 18 w/adult

Feeding Hummingbirds Facebook Live

Monday, May 3

10-10:30 am

Join Interpretive Naturalist on Facebook Live to learn how to safely feed hummingbirds. We will chat feeder maintenance, nectar recipes, tips and tricks for troubleshooting issues and be on hand to answer other questions you may have.

View CNC Calendar for all our upcoming events

Upcoming Community Events

MSU Science Festival

April 1-30, 2021

Virtual

The 2021 MSU Science Festival allows you to explore activities on your own. Our presenters are ready to dazzle, delight, educate, and inform, reaching beyond science to include technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) and the important role they play shaping our future and everyday lives.

Give Local Midland

May 4, 2021
All Day

Give Local Midland is a 24-hour online giving campaign for local nonprofit endowment funds. We are raising money and awareness for Midland nonprofit organizations who do incredible and inspiring work in our community. Join us on May 4 and give where you live during Give Local Midland.

Visitor Services Coordinator
Full time, permanent
Application deadline: April 23

Cleaning Crew Member
Part time, permanent
Application deadline: Open until filled

Natural Resources Technician

Full time, permanent

Application deadline: April 23

CM-CISMA River Surveyor (2 open positions)

Full time, temporary (seasonal)

Application deadline: April 30 or open until filled

Nature Day Camp Adventure Trip Leader
Full time, seasonal
Application deadline: Open until filled

NOW AVAILABLE! Virtual Root Cellar - Ice Box Program Available at No Charge

Chippewa Nature Center and Midland Center for the Arts have partnered to bring you Root Cellar - Ice Box, a pair of videos to help students compare and contrast rural and urban life in Midland County in the late 1800s. Share the videos with your students and then help them discover the similarities and differences in how families met their need for food, water, clothing, and shelters during that time.

Nature Day Camp registration is open!

Chippewa Nature Center is excited to welcome campers back to Nature Day Camp this summer! More than any other summer in recent history, our children need to be immersed in nature to support their health and well-being. Our staff look forward to connecting them with their peers and supporting their growth as individuals.

Support Chippewa Nature Center

Our mission is to connect all people with nature through educational, recreational and cultural experiences.